Wayzata Weekly

City Calendar

Planning Commission Meeting Mon. August 3 Canceled

City Council Meeting Tues. August 4 7 p.m. Virtual Meeting

James J. Hill Days Canceled for 2020

The James J. Hill Days Steering Committee, the Wayzata Area Chamber Board of Directors, and the organizers of the Wayzata Beach Bash made the painful decision to cancel the 2020 James J. Hill Days and Wayzata Beach Bash due to COVID-19 related guidelines and concerns for public health.

Stay connected with ways to support local businesses and celebrate the community at wayzatachamber.com

We look forward to seeing you at James J. Hill Days 2021, September 10-12!

There is plenty to enjoy safely outdoors this summer. Take a trip down to Wayzata Beach and check out Wai Nani Surf and Paddle. They are offering rental and instruction for stand up paddle boards and kayaks. McCormick’s Beachside is also open and is the perfect place to grab a bite while you spend the day at the beach.

Find locations for other parks amenities in Wayzata including tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball courts, trails, and much more at www.wayzata.org/parks.

Starting July 25, Executive Order Requires Face Coverings Indoors

Effective Saturday, July 25, Executive Order 20-81 requires all people in Minnesota to wear a face covering in all public indoor spaces and businesses.

Click here to read more about the face covering requirements.

Wayzata Library Open for Grab and Go Service

On July 20, the Wayzata Library opened for “Grab and Go” service for limited services. Patrons can now make quick visits to pick up holds, check out, and make returns. Computer use is by appointment only. Meeting rooms and the seating and play areas will remain closed.

For more information about the current service offerings at the library visit https://www.hclib.org/about/closure-faq

2020 Elections

August 11 State Primary Election

Absentee voting for the August 11 Primary Election began June 26 and will continue until Aug. 10. Click here to view the Primary Ballot.

Vote at City Hall, Mon. through Thurs., 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Fri., 7:00 - 11 a.m.
To minimize direct contact with others due to COVID-19, all Minnesota voters are encouraged to vote early by mail (absentee) for the 2020 Elections. Click here to request a ballot by mail.

Wayzata City Council Elections and Filing Deadline

The November 3 General Election Ballot will include two, four-year city council seats and a mayoral seat. Individuals who want to run for a seat on the Wayzata City Council, may file an Affidavit of Candidacy with the required $5 filing fee (or petition) at Wayzata City Hall, during regular office hours, between July 28 and Aug. 11, 2020. For more information, contact the City Clerk at 952-404-5303 or visit www.wayzata.org/elections.

Community Development

Are you interested in ensuring that the City Code upholds the long-term vision for the City’s future? If so, join the Task Force that will focus on the Zoning Code Update applicable to the recent adopt of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Contact Emily Goellner, Community Development Director, at egoellner@wayzata.org or 952-404-5312, to discuss.
The August 3 Planning Commission meeting is canceled. The next Planning Commission meeting will be on August 17 and will be held virtually due to COVID-19. Members of the public who wish to provide comments on any agenda items can find instructions at www.wayzata.org/virtualpublicmeetings.
Hennepin County has launched a new assistance program in the last week for eligible small businesses to apply for grants of up to $15,000 to support emergency relief and costs associated with reopening under public health guidelines. More information at https://www.hennepin.us/economic-development/programs/Emergency-relief.
The City’s Lake Street Business District was selected as a recovery zone for assistance from Hennepin County. The City is still learning what this work will entail. It is funded by the Federal CARES Act.
A development application has been submitted for approval of a lot coverage variance to construct a gazebo/cabana at 460 Peavey Road. More information will be posted next week at https://www.wayzata.org/286/Proposed-Development-Projects.

Picture Wayzata Photo Contest is Underway

Grab your camera, the Picture Wayzata Photo Contest is underway! The photo contest is a great way to showcase Wayzata and highlight the creative photography talent in the community. Whether it’s people at play, a treasured park or a new perspective on what Wayzata has to offer, we want to see it. Spring, summer, winter and fall, we want it all. Everyone is encouraged to participate.

This year the contest will run until December 18, 2020. Winners will be notified in early 2021. Learn more about the contest and prizes at www.wayzata.org/photocontest.

Compost Site is Open

In July, the City hired a contractor to remove and process the city’s compost pile at Public Works.

As a reminder: Only soft-bodied yard waste (such as grass and leaves) is permitted. No brush, stumps, branches, plastic bags, paper bags, etc. will be allowed. Brush must be taken to the Plymouth Yard Waste Site

Do not leave bags at the compost site

Residents are required to unbag all materials, per ordinance #583. Residents are asked to take empty bags home to reuse or to dispose of.

Free woodchips

Free wood chips are available at the site for residents who have a permit. You must load your own wood chips. Public Works employees cannot help load wood chips.

Construction

Panoway on Wayzata Bay – Lake Street (Broadway Ave to Ferndale Rd)

Construction continues at the new Lake Street Plaza Park, including work on the interior of the new restroom building, the shade structure, and the interactive water feature which will be located across Lake Street from Ben & Jerry’s. They have also made great progress on sidewalk and concrete pavement construction, irrigation, and lighting installation throughout the project.

Pouring concrete sidewalks in the Lake Street Plaza Park

Lake Street, between Ferndale Road and Barry Avenue is open to motorists in both directions; however, the sidewalk and trail remain closed on the south side of Lake Street while contractors complete landscaping and installing the irrigation systems and street lighting.

Westbound Lake Street, between Broadway and Walker Avenues is open to motorists. Eastbound Lake Street will remain closed to allow the contractors access to the new Plaza Park area.

Full closure of Lake Street between Walker and Barry Avenues is expected to remain through the end of July. Businesses on Lake Street are accessible to pedestrians and there is ample parking available on adjacent side streets, and at the City’s Mill Street Parking Ramp.

Please Use Sidewalks

The streets are not to be used by pedestrians. There are many safety hazards that exist on and around the Wayzata Panoway construction job site, which is why the site is fenced off, and the public is not permitted to enter the site.

The posted detour routes for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are the safest routes around the construction zone. Use of the railroad corridor is prohibited. Walking, jogging or biking on the railroad corridor is considered trespassing. Please use the designated routes instead. For more detailed information about the detour routes, including maps, please visit NavigateWayzata.com.

Street Striping

The Streets Department has begun painting crosswalks and other pavement markings throughout the City. Street and parking lot striping will continue through August and into September.

Utility Work on Wayzata Boulevard and Central Avenue

In July, Universal Services began installing utility lines for Comcast in Wayzata. Currently, they are working along Lake Street, west of Manitoba Avenue. Work in this area is expected to be completed in mid-August.

Special Event Permits

Staff has processed or is processing the following Special Event permits
(staff is aware of a few more events that will require a permit but applications have not yet been submitted).

Date of event Name of event

June – September Wai Nai Paddleboard Rental (Wayzata Beach)
June 17 - July 29 Music by the Lake (Depot) CANCELED
July 29 - July 30 Wayzata Community Church Rummage Sale CANCELED
August 1 Tour de Tonka CANCELED

Three Rivers Park District Seeks Community Feedback on Regional Trail Development

The Three Rivers Park District (TRPD) is working on a Master Plan project to extend a regional trail from Wayzata to the Rogers/Dayton area and is now ready for public outreach and comments.

TRPD is soliciting and accepting comments from Wayzata on the potential trail options for the future regional trail. You can provide input at www.letstalkthreerivers.org/diamond-lake-regional-trail-master-plan